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Become a “Prosumer”
In this
presentation on Thursday, June 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at The Fitz
Wetlands Educational Resource Center (the WERC), you'll learn to
understand your PG&E bill and reduce your use of electricity and
natural gas to save money and the environment. Smart Grid consultant
Christine Hertzog will give a preview of the revolution in the
electrical grid, how your relationship with electricity is going to
change, and why becoming a “prosumer” is a good thing. For directions
and map, click here. To learn
more about the talk, Click here.
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Scholarship Awarded
The Watch
is proud to announce that Sandra Lobato is this year's recipient of the
Wetland Steward Scholarship. This $500 scholarship was made possible
through the generosity of Laura Hofmeister. Sandra will be attending UC
Berkeley in the fall of 2010, majoring in environmental studies. We are
sad to say goodbye to our current Wetland Stewards but excited for all
the adventures they have ahead of them.
Shown above are, back
row, left to right: Sandra Lobato, Jasmin Magana, and Andrea Hernandez;
front row, left to right: Fernando Paniagua, Rudy Zavala, and Miguel
Ruan.
Molly Underwood, Environmental Education Specialist, has
welcomed the six new Wetland Stewards for the 2010 - 2011 school year.
We had a competitive pool of over 30 applications and after an interview
round found six fantastic new mentors. Keep your eyes on the e-letter
in the fall for a group photo!
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Wetlands
Alive! Tours Available
Through September
Bring
your friends and family to this free, fun-filled event! Tours
originate
from the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (the
WERC)
on the grounds of Pajaro Valley High School. Guests
will
receive a fascinating view of the birds, plants, and wildlife of
the
wetlands; binoculars are provided. Tours are ½ to 1 mile and
last
1 - 2 hours, depending on group preference; wear long pants
and
walking shoes. All tours are free; reservations are required 48
hours
in advance: call the WERC at 831-728-1156, ext. 7, or send
an
e-mail to genie@watsonvillewetlandswatch.org. For more
information,
including the tour schedule, click here.
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Project Tierra: Student Plant Monitoring
Three Pajaro Valley High School
classes, during Algebra I and Ecology units, learned to monitor the
success of restoration planting and grazing management during April and
May. As part of Project Tierra, the students counted plant populations
on parts of the Dept. of Fish and Game property, then returned to the
classroom to enter their data and analyze it. This is a win-win
experience; students develop scientific skills and the community
benefits from information to help us manage restoration projects most effectively. Click here for more photos.
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WWW Picnic on July 11th
You and your family and friends
are invited to join us for an old fashioned picnic/potluck on fabled
Tarplant Hill. We're celebrating summer and doing a little birdwatching
with our Watsonville Wetlands Watch friends. Bring a dish or drinks to
share, picnic plates, cups, flatware, etc., and a blanket or beach chair
to sit on. We will provide tables for the food buffet, spotting scopes,
binoculars, and bird guides. Tarplant Hill is across the street from
Landmark School, 235 Ohlone Parkway, in Watsonville. Park in the
Landmark Elementary parking lot. Please RSVP to Kathy Fieberling at
kathyfieb@yahoo.com or 831-345-1226. Map.
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New Sign Dedicated
On Saturday, June 5th, enthusiastic
supporters of Freedom Rotary and the Watch dedicated an interpretive
sign on the Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) adjacent to
the WERC at Pajaro Valley High School. The PVUSD Maintenance Department,
students and teachers from PVHS, and the Watch have been working since
2004 to turn 80 acres of former agricultural fields back into native
grasslands, wetlands, and forest. Students and volunteers have
contributed over 3,000 volunteer hours. To see a close-up of the sign,
click here.
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Would You Like to Support Our Work ...
... to protect, restore, and
foster appreciation of the wetlands? You can contribute online at our website. Or send a donation in
the mail to WWW, P.O. Box 1239, Freedom, CA 95019. Contributions are
tax-deductible in accordance with IRS rules for non-profit organizations
and are greatly
appreciated. |
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Watsonville Wetlands Watch advocates
for wetland issues, educates
elementary, middle, and high school students, restores degraded
habitats, preserves what remains whole, and teaches appreciation for
the unique beauty and life of the Pajaro Valley wetlands. In
cooperation with numerous other agencies, we support studies of and
planning for these sites. |
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